STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


CLASSIFICATION:  BUYER

 

Class Code:  1304-15                                          Date Established:  02-03-86           

 

Occupational Code:  1-3-4                                 Date of Last Revision:  12-28-01

 

BASIC PURPOSE:  To retrieve, compile and process data concerning the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies for state agencies. 

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·        Processes agency supply orders and requisitions, including verifying price and quantity of agency orders.

 

·        Obtains bids and price quotations from vendors on new items or services.

 

·        Prices equipment, articles, supplies and services using updated catalog and price lists.

 

·        Answers technical questions from other agencies regarding state purchasing policy and preparation of requisitions.

 

·        Audits requests from agencies and suggests routine changes in agency purchase contracts.

·        Interviews and visits potential new suppliers to obtain information used in determining their ability and qualifications to supply required material and services.

 

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

 

Skill:  Requires skill in developing formats and procedures for special applications OR in investigating and reviewing the use of equipment and data for a specialized function.

 

Knowledge:  Requires knowledge of business practices and procedures or technical training in a craft or trade, including working from detailed instructions, to apply knowledge in a variety of practical situations.

 

Impact:  Requires responsibility for contributing to immediate, ongoing agency objectives by facilitating the direct provision of services to the public or other state agencies.  Errors at this level result in inaccurate reports or invalid test results and require significant investment of time and resources to detect.

 

Supervision:  Requires partial supervision of other employees doing work which is related or similar to the supervisor, including assigning job duties, providing training, giving instructions and checking work.

 

Working Conditions:  Requires performing regular job functions in a controlled environment with minimal exposure to disagreeable job elements and little risk of hazard to physical or mental health.

 

Physical Demands:  Requires light work, including continuous walking or operating simple equipment for extended periods of time as well as occasional strenuous activities such as reaching or bending.

 

Communication:  Requires explaining facts, interpreting situations, or advising individuals of alternative or appropriate courses of action.  This level also requires interviewing or eliciting information from state employees or members of the general public.

 

 

Complexity:  Requires a combination of job functions to establish facts, to draw daily operational conclusions, or to solve practical problems.  This level also requires providing a variety of alternative solutions where only limited standardization exists.

 

Independent Action:  Requires a range of choice in applying a number of technical or administrative policies under general direction and in making routine decisions or in recommending modifications in work procedures for approval by supervisor.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:  Associate's degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or technical institute with major study in business management or other area relating to purchasing.  Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

 

Experience:  Two years' experience required in requisitioning or purchasing equipment or materials directly or by bid process for an agency, industry or institution.  Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.

 

License/Certification:  None required.

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:  Knowledge of purchasing by bid.  Knowledge of contract purchasing agreements.  Knowledge of office machine operations.  Knowledge of general mathematics.  Skill in reviewing forms for completion and mathematical accuracy.  Ability to coordinate activities to eliminate repetition and duplication.  Ability to extract factual information from publications or telephone conversations.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency personnel, vendors and sales representatives.  Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:  This class specification is descriptive of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this class title.

 


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Last Updated 05/10/02
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